The National General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA of Liberia, Madam Vonyee Newton Kolison, has called on Liberians to invest their time, resources and collective efforts in sustaining peace for everyone, everywhere and every day.
Madam Kolison made the call on Monday, September 21, 2026, during activities marking the International Day of Peace organized by the Civil Peace Service (CPS) Liberia Network at the Liberia Opportunities Industrialization Centers (LOIC) in Monrovia.
YMCA National General Secretary/CEO – Mrs. Vonyee N. Kolison
The observance followed the United Nations theme, “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.” The theme highlights the role individuals and communities can play in building and sustaining peace through everyday actions.
Make Peace Part of Everyday Life
Addressing participants, Madam Kolison urged Liberians to move beyond viewing peace as an annual commemoration. She encouraged citizens to make peace part of their daily lives and responsibilities.
“I ask all of you to invest your time and your resources to help to sustain peace for everyone in Liberia,” Madam Kolison said.
She stressed that sustaining peace requires everyone’s participation. She said individuals and communities must continuously protect and strengthen peace through collective action.
Madam Kolison also recognized the work of Civil Peace Service partners, particularly their efforts to engage young people in peacebuilding initiatives.
“Civil Peace Service partners under the CPS Network are working with young people on the initiative, and we look forward to collaborating with all of you participants,” she said.
Protect People and Voices
The YMCA Liberia CEO commended CPS partners for their contribution to peacebuilding in Liberia. She also praised the panelists for their open and constructive discussions during the program.
YMCA youth participating in the CPS organized International Day of Peace parade
She highlighted the importance of collective action to protect people, protect voices and promote responsible digital citizenship. She noted that digital platforms have become important spaces for civic participation and public dialogue.
The 2026 International Day of Peace observance placed particular emphasis on Liberia’s digital and civic space. It promoted safe, inclusive and responsible participation, especially among women, girls and young people.
Peace Requires Continuous Action
In a special statement issued by the YMCA of Liberia to mark the International Day of Peace, Madam Kolison emphasized that peace should not be treated simply as an event to commemorate.
Instead, she described peace as a responsibility that requires continuous action and commitment.
According to the YMCA Liberia CEO, people build and protect peace through dialogue, inclusion, responsible communication, respect for human rights and collective action.
YMCA Liberia’s Role in Peacebuilding
The YMCA of Liberia is one of seven partner organizations within the Civil Peace Service Network. The organization places particular emphasis on youth leadership and empowerment.
The YMCA continues to empower young people toward what it describes as the “Africa We Want.” Its key program areas include Leadership Training and Mentoring, Civic Education and Peacebuilding, Advocacy, and Vocational Education.
Through these programs, the YMCA Liberia strengthens young people’s leadership, civic participation and peacebuilding skills. It also creates opportunities for personal and community development.
Investing in Peace Together
Platform guests and some participant of the CPS, IDP celebration
The International Day of Peace event brought together representatives of the Liberia Peacebuilding Office, Press Union of Liberia, CPS AGIAMONDO, civil society organizations, women and youth groups, media institutions, community and religious leaders, peacebuilding practitioners, CPS Network partners and other stakeholders.
As Liberia joined the global community to observe the International Day of Peace, the YMCA Liberia encouraged citizens—particularly young people, women and community leaders—to recognize their role in creating and sustaining peaceful communities.
The YMCA’s message remains clear: Invest in peace. Protect people. Protect voices. Promote responsible digital citizenship.
The United Nations says the 2026 International Day of Peace recognizes people who build peace through local action. It emphasizes that peace takes shape not only in formal institutions, but also in neighborhoods, communities and everyday life.
The National General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA of Liberia, Madam Vonyee Newton Kolison, has called on Liberians to invest their time, resources and collective efforts in sustaining peace for everyone, everywhere and every day.
Madam Kolison made the call on Monday, September 21, 2026, during activities marking the International Day of Peace organized by the Civil Peace Service (CPS) Liberia Network at the Liberia Opportunities Industrialization Centers (LOIC) in Monrovia.
YMCA National General Secretary/CEO – Mrs. Vonyee N. Kolison
The observance followed the United Nations theme, “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.” The theme highlights the role individuals and communities can play in building and sustaining peace through everyday actions.
Make Peace Part of Everyday Life
Addressing participants, Madam Kolison urged Liberians to move beyond viewing peace as an annual commemoration. She encouraged citizens to make peace part of their daily lives and responsibilities.
She stressed that sustaining peace requires everyone’s participation. She said individuals and communities must continuously protect and strengthen peace through collective action.
Madam Kolison also recognized the work of Civil Peace Service partners, particularly their efforts to engage young people in peacebuilding initiatives.
Protect People and Voices
The YMCA Liberia CEO commended CPS partners for their contribution to peacebuilding in Liberia. She also praised the panelists for their open and constructive discussions during the program.
YMCA youth participating in the CPS organized International Day of Peace parade
She highlighted the importance of collective action to protect people, protect voices and promote responsible digital citizenship. She noted that digital platforms have become important spaces for civic participation and public dialogue.
The 2026 International Day of Peace observance placed particular emphasis on Liberia’s digital and civic space. It promoted safe, inclusive and responsible participation, especially among women, girls and young people.
Peace Requires Continuous Action
In a special statement issued by the YMCA of Liberia to mark the International Day of Peace, Madam Kolison emphasized that peace should not be treated simply as an event to commemorate.
Instead, she described peace as a responsibility that requires continuous action and commitment.
According to the YMCA Liberia CEO, people build and protect peace through dialogue, inclusion, responsible communication, respect for human rights and collective action.
YMCA Liberia’s Role in Peacebuilding
The YMCA of Liberia is one of seven partner organizations within the Civil Peace Service Network. The organization places particular emphasis on youth leadership and empowerment.
The YMCA continues to empower young people toward what it describes as the “Africa We Want.” Its key program areas include Leadership Training and Mentoring, Civic Education and Peacebuilding, Advocacy, and Vocational Education.
Through these programs, the YMCA Liberia strengthens young people’s leadership, civic participation and peacebuilding skills. It also creates opportunities for personal and community development.
Investing in Peace Together
Platform guests and some participant of the CPS, IDP celebration
The International Day of Peace event brought together representatives of the Liberia Peacebuilding Office, Press Union of Liberia, CPS AGIAMONDO, civil society organizations, women and youth groups, media institutions, community and religious leaders, peacebuilding practitioners, CPS Network partners and other stakeholders.
As Liberia joined the global community to observe the International Day of Peace, the YMCA Liberia encouraged citizens—particularly young people, women and community leaders—to recognize their role in creating and sustaining peaceful communities.
The YMCA’s message remains clear: Invest in peace. Protect people. Protect voices. Promote responsible digital citizenship.
The United Nations says the 2026 International Day of Peace recognizes people who build peace through local action. It emphasizes that peace takes shape not only in formal institutions, but also in neighborhoods, communities and everyday life.